Fisheries officers learn sustainable management

SEVEN fisheries officers from around the region successfully completed two months of training on Friday at the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) office in Suva.

The officers from Fiji, Tonga, Kiribati, Micronesia and Comoro, upon the completion of the training have developed sound measures for sustainable utilisation and effective management of coastal resources.

The training — Fisheries Extension Officers in Island Countries — is essential for economic development as well as maintenance of subsistence livelihood in the island nations.

The training course, which was implemented by JICA in partnership with Department of Fisheries, University of South Pacific, Secretariat of Pacific Community, non-governmental organisations and other related organisations, is the first year of the training courses out of a three-year training period from 2012 to 2014.

The first and second phases of the training course were held in Okinawa, Japan, for one month and in Samoa for one week.

The third phase was held in Fiji for three weeks.

In Okinawa, the participants acquired understanding on various approaches towards the sustainable utilisation of coastal resources as well as ecosystem-based fisheries management.

In Fiji, the participants were able to practise on the construction and deployment of FADs with the Fisheries Department, School of Marine Studies at the University of the South Pacific and fishermen from coastal communities including Qoma, Namarai and Malake.

They also visited Vitawa Village where they practised milk fish farming.